Broadband definition

Broadband is often called “high-speed” access to the Internet, because it usually has a high rate of data transmission. In general, any connection to the customer of 256 kbit/s (0.25 Mbit/s) or greater is more concisely considered broadband Internet access. The International Telecommunication Union Standardization Sector (ITU-T) recommendation I.113 has defined broadband as a transmission capacity that is faster than primary rate ISDN, at 1.5 to 2 Mbit/s. The FCC definition of broadband is 4.0 Mbit/s. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has defined broadband as 256 kbit/s in at least one direction and this bit rate is the most common baseline that is marketed as “broadband” around the world. There is no specific bitratedefined by the industry, however, and “broadband” can mean lower-bitrate transmission methods. Some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) use this to their advantage in marketing lower-bitrate connections as broadband.

So, the baseline is 256kbps, which is most commonly marketed worldwide.

I’m not sure which baseline is adapted by our country, but according to the minister, we have reached 60% penetration. If its 256kbps, well nothing much to say. Also need to consider the quality of the transmission.

This year’s national broadband penetration 60 per cent target has been achieved, said said Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

The distribution of 1 Malaysia netbooks and launched village broadband facilities have contributed to the quick success said Dr Rais, according to Bernama Online.

He was speaking in Kampung Rumpun Makmur, part of the Kerdau state constituency in Pahang today.

The success has spurred the ministry to increase the target to 70 per cent penetration nationwide for 2011.

The minister also highlighted the efforts of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and respective telcos in improving access and quality.